North Texas (2-3) At Louisiana Tech (2-3)

[MeanGreen61]

North Texas (2-3) at Louisiana Tech (2-3)

Rian Johnson

Staff Writer

October 21, 2005

The Mean Green’s win last week, coupled with a Troy loss to Louisiana-Monroe, has NT regaining control of its own destiny. NT will use its next two opponents to try to get its team in position for another run for the Sun Belt title.

David Minton / NT Daily

Patrick Cobbs takes a carry during practice. He hopes to repeate another 100-yard performance Saturday against the Bulldogs.

We were very fortunate and very pleased with getting a win Saturday, but we also realized there is a lot of things this young team has to improve on,” NT coach Darrell Dickey said. “And this week, we are going to work on trying to get some things we are not doing well ironed out and preparing a game plan to go over and play Louisiana Tech and try for a victory.”

David Minton / NT Daily

NT running back Jamario Thomas gears up for the Mean Green’s non-conference game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

The Mean Green (2-3, 2-1) is facing a Louisiana Tech (2-3, 0-1) team fresh off a conference battle against Nevada that was decided in the last few minutes of the game. The Mean Green is expecting that loss to provide a little extra motivation this week in Ruston, La.

“[Louisiana Tech is] a program that has had great success over the years,” Dickey said. “We are playing at their place, and they have played well this year. They had a tough loss to Nevada on the road last week … so I am sure they are going to want to come back and make up for that this Saturday.”

The Bulldogs offense was not very impressive last week against Nevada. The Bulldogs only managed 68 yards on the ground and was out gained 458 to 229. But Dickey said the offense poses a threat.

“They are a pretty wide open offense, but they still have a dangerous running game, and they can throw the ball extremely well,” he said.

Louisiana Tech has three running backs averaging nearly five yards per carry on the season, and as a team, the Bulldogs squad has gained more than 650 yards on the ground.

Matt Kubik leads the Bulldogs passing game. He has completed more than 48 percent of his passes on the season, finding the end zone seven times from the air. The Mean Green hopes to capitalize on Kubik’s mistakes, as he has thrown five interceptions in the season.

Defensively, the Bulldogs scheme could pose a problem for the Mean Green offense line.

“[Defensively, Louisiana Tech] line up and say ‘We are going to play defense two-deep, you whip us if you can,’” Dickey said. “But they also have a very good blitz package, and they have got the athletes to execute it.”

That blitzing scheme shows in the defense’s numbers. The Bulldogs have 10 different players with a sack this year. Senior defensive lineman Moqut Ruffins leads the units with 2.5 sacks.

Trend to watch:

The Bulldogs have outscored opponents 55-21 in the second quarter this season. The Mean Green has been outscored 9-54 in the second quarter this season.

[BIG DAWG]

Matt Kubik leads the Bulldogs passing game. He has completed more than 48 percent of his passes on the season

So! 48% is nothing to write home about.

To get this out of the way I know there will be a post about Meager not hitting a 48% clip, but I am not going to put that in the paper either.